Who has an Ice Saw?

[Kelly Johnson]

I'm curious about these.
Is one brand better than another?
Pros and Cons for hook and line fishing vs Auger
Do you still need an auger to get started?

[RyGuy525]

the way team snapper does it is we drill two holes in a line about a foot and a half apart. Then he makes cuts to make it a square. Never seen anything like it. It goes threw the ice better than my gas auger does. Unless you are planning on spearing or sight fishing perch a lot there really is no sence in spending the 100 bucks on one. It sure is neat fishing out of that giant hole though

[Hunter333]

Splitshot had one at an outing a few years ago on White Lake.... The saw worked wonders on the ice: easily made a huge hole with minimal effort, large enough to swallow all of his gear when the wind kicked up and tipped his shelter over.... Like I said, the saw was amazing :) Sorry Ray, couldnt resist with all of the talk about past outings.... :)

[RyGuy525]

http://www.darkhousespearingsupply.com/index.php?cPath=61&osCsid=a860791d04d31bbe5905c6520ab9bc17

[outdoor junkie]

I have an old chainsaw that works great.:)

[Kelly Johnson]

Splitshot had one at an outing a few years ago on White Lake.... The saw worked wonders on the ice: easily made a huge hole with minimal effort, large enough to swallow all of his gear when the wind kicked up and tipped his shelter over.... Like I said, the saw was amazing :) Sorry Ray, couldnt resist with all of the talk about past outings.... :)

Man...I miss all the cool stuff:lol:

I have an old chainsaw that works great.:)

I got one of those too;)
Weight, gas, oil and the fact that Kelly+ Motors=Disaster as a general rule have me looking at the manual one maybe.

[Chad Smith]

Never used a manual saw but judging by the teeth they should work well, any of them. When I have speared I drilled 4 holes then buzz the chainsaw through. Soggybottomboys posted a ..... um.... what was the name of that post???? Well anyway if you see is name search the threads he started. He put it up about a week ago, he made a nice looking hole by using 4 holes.

[trouttime]

Splitshot had one at an outing a few years ago on White Lake.... The saw worked wonders on the ice: easily made a huge hole with minimal effort, large enough to swallow all of his gear when the wind kicked up and tipped his shelter over.... Like I said, the saw was amazing :) Sorry Ray, couldnt resist with all of the talk about past outings.... :)

:lol: Oh man just read about outings of the past, was right there when it dumped, helped catch the camera but not quick enough :( sorry Ray. That saw cut ice like warm butter, it was amazing, they really work well!

[EdB]

I got one this year from darkhouse. I love it! Makes it much easier to cut a big hole.

[fishenrg]

They work great on big holes and are quite impressive to carry around!

[Splitshot]

Not only did my saw go in the hole, but almost $5,000.00 worth of camera equipment as well. I purchased the saws from Salior a member of this site. If you want a good one for a reasonable price, call him. I will never use my chain saw again.

[Mister ED]

Not only did my saw go in the hole, but almost $5,000.00 worth of camera equipment as well. I purchased the saws from Salior a member of this site. If you want a good one for a reasonable price, call him. I will never use my chain saw again.

For a bit, we were not sure if Ray had gone in too or not ... luckily he had went to his vehicle (or something like that). Man what an outing that was.

If I'm not mistaken, Salior is Darkhouse Spearing supply. Heck of a nice guy.

[Trophyhunter]

I like my stihl 029 with 18" bar.

[PITBULL]

I have Fish's long icesaw from darkhouse spearing supply. It works great. I do use a auger to drill holes to start it, but after that it is quick and easy to use. I also use it to reopen the hole in the shanty after not being there for 4-5 days It is a little bit too long for that, in its difficult to manuerver inside the shanty. They do make a short saw for that. They also sell a case for it, (clear plastic of vinal) I just use a old shotgun case that I had laying around.

[Kelly Johnson]

If I carry a saw I will not want to carry an auger to start it. That's part of the allure is lightweight with more options for holes sizing.

I hate dragging the crap I NEED already:lol:

[tommy-n]

how would you start without some kind of a hole?

[Mule Skinner]

I just bought a new ice saw this Winter and it is a great tool if you spear out of a portable shanty like I do. The saw is ridgid and when you lock it in the open position and has a very sharp point on the end of it . It can be used as a spud to start your initial hole, but this is only for first ice conditions when you have a few inches unlike now. I carry a sud and an auger in my jet sled along with the rest of my gear.

I auger a corner hole then put the saw in and with minimal effort work the handle of the blade up in down in a straight line until my cut reaches about 48 plus inches or so then I start to turn inside and cut my first corner radius .

Next I cut in that direction a straight line for about 24 plus inches then I begin to make my 2nd inward radius corner. Hole is halfway done , just repeat the process till you end up back at your auger hole. I push the slab under the ice and clean with skimmer. With the ice as thick as it is now , I half to split this clunk in half to push it under with the spud. If I ever run across some cheap ice tongs I'll pick a pair up.

Make sure to mark your hole when you pack up and go.
I take leafy oak branches out with me everytime to mark my hole good when I leave.